Beta Releases

Please add references to any content added to the page otherwise the edit will be reverted. Any content that cannot be verified could be discussed on the talk page first.

The accuracy of some information on this page has been disputed

You can help by correcting it, finding sources to prove the information or discussing any changes that could be made on the talk page.

Before the release of any Grand Theft Auto game, there were features that were removed from the final product. These changes range from deleted vehicles and player skins to the removal of entire characters and mission strands.

Grand Theft Auto 2

In the promo movie & inside the game files, districts by the names of Chernobyl Docks, Romanova, Ademus, Barking & Taebetsu were going to be in the game, but they were removed. Also, Arbo & Gonad were actually referenced by name in the police dispatch instead of being called "South Central".

Grand Theft Auto III

Characters

Claude's appearance went through many different designs. Some screenshots show a poorly detailed Claude, who looks completely different from the final version. Other pictures show a more final Claude with different hair and a chubbier appearance.[1]

Buskers (pictured to the right) were cut/disabled from the game and later introduced in GTA IV. Existence of buskers in GTA III, can be seen in default.ide file at the bottom line that says "#83, busker1, busker1, CIVMALE, STAT_BUSKER, man, 0". Note that the "#" marks the line as "disabled". The busker with the bongos has the same appearances as a college student at the Liberty City Community College in Liberty Campus.

Originally, when doing Vigilante, Paramedic, or Firefighter missions, the vehicles radio could go out of range - requiring the player to drive closer to the nearest police station/hospital/fire station.[17]

Originally, some of the missions could not be taken at any time, since the leaders were busy.[18]

Toni's missions originally had to be completed before advancing to Salvatore's missions.[19]

City

An early beta map of GTA III Liberty City.

The city during development stage was very different from the finished version and has more streets and roads. The airport was once in Staunton Island and there were many roads in Shoreside Vale. Callahan Bridge was also absent.

Punk Noodles was originally just with a small grass park with two statues.[20] The statue model still exists in the game's files.

There were other area names that supposedly going to be included in the game. These are The Towers, Sewers, Swanksville, Projects, Luigi's Place, Little Italy and Industrial Park. Waterfront Promenade, Westport and Westport Bridge could be seen in some directions going to Trenton and Atlantic Quays.

A penitentiary, where Claude and 8-Ball were being transported to in the Introduction, was originally planned to be located on a peninsula in north-east Portland.

8-Ball's Garage was supposedly be in the area names on the screen (Observed in the archives of the PS2 version).

In the beta also, the Shoreside Lift Bridge has many roads leading to the bridge. However, a picture of GTA III has the beta picture without the lift bridge. It is possible that the Callahan Bridge took its place in the beta.

In the recent interview about GTA III, the logo was used to be stencil font and other one, a pill-shaped logo similar to GTA 2 logo.

GTA III original logo.

Unused lines of text within the game's text files contain phrases, such as "You're perfectly healthy, get out of here!" and "I'll just fix you up". These lines of text seem to imply that the game's hospitals were, originally, accessible/usable.[28]

There was going to be an additional outfit called "MC Tommy" but was removed. It was originally a brown biker jacket that could be found inside Howlin' Petes Biker Emporium. However, neither model nor texture of that outfit exists.

According to TXD files, a radio station named VCN (Vice City News) was cut late in the development.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Both Sweet and Big Smoke had their appearances changed. Sweet was originally dressed in black and wore a black skully, Big Smoke wore a white Saints jersey and did not wear a hat, exposing his shaved head.

In the Strategy Guide, Jethro is seen in the mission Riot, suggesting he had a larger role.

Big Bear has a different model such as wearing the same clothes and much fatter.

Peds

Gang members looked different and wore different clothing.

Each city had their own unique motor officers, however the final version of the game uses the same model for each city. These beta officers still remain in the game files and can be spawned with trainers.

In gta3.img there are files foransed ped (likely taxi driver) and a female valet. Judging from the bad details of the valet, she was cut in the early stages of development.

There were also a psycho ped dressed in green sleeve jacket and camo pants. Even, there is a psycho person statistic in the game files with this name: STAT_PSYCHO.

Ryder was supposed to be killed on the pier, and T-Bone Mendez was supposed to escape on the boat but it was changed into the final version.

The locations for the snapshot icons (San Fierro collectible) and the horseshoes (Las Venturas collectible) were different in the beta version in comparison to the released version. This came from the original PS2 version of the Strategy Guide, which still used the original beta locations. However, this was changed for the Xbox and PC versions later on.

City

The Mulholland Safehouse seemed to have a full interior that can be seen from the outside. The change on final version causes a glitch which allows the player to go through the wall.[42]

San Andreas was different and had several different land masses, such as a different San Fierro (which resembled San Francisco more closely) with more parks and less docks. A full beta map of San Andreas can be found on a wall in the Lil' Probe'Inn.

Santa Flora Medical Center had two helipads on its roof. These pads were most likely meant for the Maverick and Raindance that spawn there in the alpha. Oddly enough, these helipads were absent in the alpha, so the choppers simply spawned on the roof.

The Clown's Pocket casino was originally called The Ringmaster, its original name can still be seen on the paper map included inside the game box.

Pedestrians would walk into and out of accessible places like stores, clubs, etc. and GSF members would walk into and out of / hang out in your safehouses.

There was meant to be a trailer for the Roadtrain which was capable of pulling more trailers. The old model still exists in the game files and there's even a newer version under the name of 'artic3' however this is un capable of pulling other trailers.

Pool tables were originally going to be colored green instead of blue.

Carl Johnson was able to use drugs, which would make the camera wobble around making it more difficult to control CJ.

The ability to drink beer was cut from the final version.

Through the hidden interiors universe, unused brothels can be found, these were most likely to be placed on top of Strip Clubs.

Pre-release magazine articles showed that stealing cars was to be much more difficult. In early screen shots, car jacking was shown to involve smashing the car's window and then hot wiring it. This was all removed, possibly due to the limitations posed by the PS2. A similar system is present in HD Universe games.

Accorded to a strategy guide, adrenaline pills from previous GTA games were in the beta version. However their effect can still be activate with a cheat code. Model and textures for the pill can still be found in the game files.

According to a picture from the strategy guide, there was originally a pool table inside Madd Dogg's Mansion.

According to american.gxt, there were several phone calls and lines which were cut.

According to gta3.img, there are several more items of clothing available at the clothes stores, including t-shirts, trousers, caps and more - these were all in the game but not used.

There was a Boxcar that the Freight would presumably have pulled instead of, or in addition to the flatcars present in the final version. These still exist in the game, and can be modded onto a train with relative ease.

A path file exists for the railroad track into Easter Basin, suggesting that it was to feature at some point. This can be utilized through modifications.

When the player got busted in the last vehicle they drove, it could be stolen back from the Impound.

The Xoomer petroleum company was originally called Xenon. This can be seen in the game's internal files. Additionally, an LOD Xenon billboard can be seen in San Fierro, but it is only visible while the game's graphics are loading.

The early reviews state that Flash FM and Hit Radio was planned to be in the game but was dropped during the development of the game.

Several beta screenshots show CJ wearing a blue hoodie. This was presumably replaced by the green hoodie at Binco. A trailer for the game suggests this would've been the default outfit.

Early map showing Beta Liberty City in GTA IV. Notice the extra space in Northeast Alderney, and the third runway at Francis International Airport.

Some areas named Anger Bay, Norfolk, Jefferson Heights, Acter Bay, Richmond , Frogtown, Washington Heights were cut. Two areas called Hedgebury and Goatherd can be seen on roadsigns on the Broker-Dukes Expressway. It is likely that they are two more cut neighborhoods, or they could be beta names of the neighborhoods that are where Hedgebury and Goatherd supposedly lead to (Firefly Projects for Goatherd, and Outlook for Hedgebury).

The setting of the game was originally going to be Liberty State, rather than just Liberty City, and it would have included countryside surrounding Liberty City, mountains based on the Adirondacks and Catskills [9], and possibly The Caraways. The article mentioned that there were three cities. First is Liberty City, next is possibly The Caraways and the last could be Carcer City mentioned as "nearby".

There was probably an airport in Alderney according to an extra space in the south-western part of the state.

In Alderney State, there was a peninsula in the north-western part that shows only land. It is unknown what was located here.

Clothing

Fingerless gloves were probably available during gameplay. Pre-release screenshots, posters, trailers and videos of the PC version also show Niko with fingerless gloves but were still not available in the game. They still however can be found in the game files.

The first removed haircut design for Niko was a cut that seemed to resemble helmet-hair.

The second removed haircut design for Niko was a buzz cut.

The Well Stacked Pizza Co. was originally meant to return but was removed before release. Outside Pizza This, the logo can still be seen and employees in the Alderney branch have "Well Stacked Pizza Co." on the back of their shirts. This may also indicate that this was once the original location for one of the stores.

According to early in-game previews, a city bus service was available for Niko to use, with a bus schedule popping up after walking to a bus stop. A bus driver character model is also found in the in-game files. Occasionally, an operating bus with the driver will be seen exiting the runway roads of Francis International Airport, however, if the player attempts to get in, the driver is 'pulled' from the bus.

Originally, the bailing out animation involved Niko diving forward, as seen in the second trailer.

Niko had these contacts in his phone: Cab, City, and Dock.

Snow was a weather condition but it is only seen as an unused scenario for pedestrian behavior in the game files.[48] However if the player leaves Niko sitting there for a bit, they may see him rubbing his hands and warming them, showing that the weather is cold.

Developers originally considered letting players purchase music by going to an in-game record shop and for Niko to have an MP3 player, but both ideas were cut.

Niko's cell phone had a different shape.

The weapons in the beta version had different names.

United Liberty Paper's contact's office was much more dirty, and his voice sounded different, as seen in the second trailer.

According to a unused dialogue, Niko would originally able to go inside Fanny Crab's's and order food but was removed.

Beta Reflection

There was a helicopter with only two propellers, and a design which looked just like the Police Maverick but with no LCPD logos on the side. This could have been the earlier version of the Police Maverick or it could have been an earlier version of the Maverick, although it is unlikely because the design is not similar in any way.

The classic death animation from 3D Universe was meant to be in the game but it was replaced with Ragdoll Physics. This can be seen when dodging their melee attack then follow a counter-attack with any melee weapon, or sniping them from far away.

A fast food restaurant called Ping's, where Niko would order food inside the restaurant was in the beta but was cut.

In Departure Time, Bulgarin was supposed to have a meeting with his entourage at the airport, which would be interrupted by Luis, resulting in a shootout. Bulgarin would flee in a Huntley Sport with a convoy of cars and the player would chase after him.

During In the Crosshairs, the building Luis is on was supposed to catch fire, leaving him to find another route out.

In Corner Kids, Luis call Tony and told him to pick up him, Henrique and Armando up in a helicopter to escape from the cops, on the way back to the helipad, Luis would fend off the cops.

There was another mission for Ray Bulgarin that was going to be the third mission for him before in the In the Crosshairs, its unknown why it was cut it can be found in the as "RBULG3" which is missing since the missions that are in the final are marked as Going Deep "RBULG1", Dropping In... "RBULG2" and In the Crosshairs as "RBULG4".

SoundtrackIn the american.gxt file lists additional songs for radio stations: K109 The Studio, Self-Actualization FM and Vice City FM. They are:

K109 The Studio:

Alicia Bridges - I Love the Nightlife (Disco Round) (1978)

Chic - My Forbidden Lover (1979)

Gloria Gaynor - Never Can Say Goodbye (1974)

GQ - Disco Nights (Rock-Freak) (1978)

Hamilton Bohannon - Let's Start the Dance (1978)

Michael Zager Band - Let's All Chant (1977)

Peaches & Herb - Funtime (1980)

The O'Jays - I Love Music (1975)

Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around (1976)

Self-Actualization FM:

Erik Wøllo - Monument (1990)

Pete Namlook - You (1st Impression) (1993)

Spacetime Continuum - Voice of the Earth (1994)

Coldcut - Autumn Leaves (Irresistable Force Mix Trip 2) (1993)

System 7 - Masato Eternity (2008)

Moby - My Beautiful Blue Sky (1993)

Vice City FM:

Belouis Some - Imagination (1985)

Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) (1984)

Club Nouveau - Lean on Me (1986)

Culture Club - Time (Clock of the Heart) (1982)

Go West - We Close Our Eyes (1985)

Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday (1988)

Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels (1985)

Others

In the Meet: Luis Lopez trailer for TBoGT, Luis is seen wearing the brown and black Perseus suit, but with blue jeans. This implies that it may have been one of Luis' already available outfits.

In the First Person Experience Trailer, Trevor didn't have scars on his hands.

Clothing

In Franklin's trailer, Denise Clinton can be seen originally having a different appearance with a different hairstyle, glasses and a green hoodie representing the Families but was changed before the game's release.

Michael originally used the normal pistol during the mission Three's Company.

Scouting the Port originally involved the use of a Forklift to move crates. This section most likely was cut because of the constant issues with the crates bouncing off the forks and other difficulties, it could also have been removed for other reasons.

A heist called The Sharmoota Job was cut. It had three options (Night Stealth, High Impact and Clown Day Stealth) and two preparation missions.

A mission called Final Furlong for Solomon Richards was cut. It is unknown if it was a separate mission or the old name for The Ballad of Rocco as both missions take the same place in a mission strand.

Michael had two Strangers and Freaks missions with a lady called Magenta that were cut. She still appears in game at the start of the mission The Long Stretch.

Franklin had two Stranger and Freaks missions with a man called Dale.

Franklin had five Stranger and Freaks missions with two fighting neighbours.

Two unknown missions for "The Band" were cut. One involved bringing the band members back together and the second involved stopping Trevor from sabotaging the concert.

Another Strangers and Freaks mission for Barry was cut. It involved Franklin stealing a helicopter with weed.

Cinema Property had two more missions; Protest and Recover Stolen Film.

There was possibly another heist involving a 'Heat'- style bank robbery where the 3 protagonists dressed in suits and balaclavas had a massive shoot-out with the LSPD in the LS Downtown core (Probably removed due to similarities with the GTA IV mission Three Leaf Clover - A screenshot with Michael in a white suit not available in the game and numerous artworks with the 3 protagonists dressed in suits and balaclavas can be found)

Chop originally wore just a plain brown collar (as seen in screenshots and trailers).

There were more dog breeds (eg. Huskies, Files can be found). These were postponed till the enchanced version.

Horses were meant to appear in the game, most likely would have been seen in the Vinewood Racetrack, Ranch or Farms, (removed for unknown reasons, as files "left over" could have been similar to Red Dead Redemption).

Changes were also made to Paleto Bay's road grid and landmass, including:

A large section of Procopio Promenade was cut off by the shoreline. It was not also connected to the main road grid, probably serving only as a detour for the Paleto Bay section of the Great Ocean Highway.

Martin Madrazo's mansion in Vinewood Hills does have an interior, however it is of low quality and inaccessible. It has two floors. The beta version seemed more detailed and it looked like it would have been accessible to the player. The poor quality interior may be a leftover from a cut heist known as the "Sharmoota Job", which involved Michael and Trevor stealing various valuable artifacts from Madrazo's house.

The RPG originally had a grip attachment as indicated by the BradyGames guide.

SoundtrackAccording to some users, there were several songs removed from the game. It is suspected that there might have been more songs cut from the soundtrack than featured in the actual game. A complete list can be found here:

Additionally, there was a cut 90s Rock radio station called "P.M.R." The station was replaced by Vinewood Boulevard Radio as the game's file lists the station under "90s Rock", and the logo can be seen on the radio wheel within the files as well. The station would've played 90s Alternative Rock/Metal, Brit Pop/Brit Rock, Indie Rock, and Post-Grunge. Songs that were meant for this station include:

According to a Game Informer interview released in November 2012, it seems that grass had a glossy sheen of morning dew, and alarm systems installed in rich houses on Vinewood Hills and Richman. In the actual release, these features are dropped.

The ability to buy properties on the internet was cut for Grand Theft Auto Online. Dialogue exists in the games files mentioning this however.

The interior of a certain apartment in GTA Online had a different look.

The player was originally able to buy drugs from Smoke on the Water but this ability was removed for an unknown reason. In the final game, Franklin maybe seen exiting the store when switching to him, implying that he has purchased something from it.

Female officers were meant to patrol with male officers, however they can only be seen at the station.

Modifications to vehicles such as Bass Boost, Nitro and Hydraulics would have returned in GTA V, but most of them were cut during development. Through modding however, it is possible to modify vehicles to have the Nitro and Hydraulics abilities, however it is unknown how to activate them and it's more likely that these are just parts of unused code.

There were originally different car exhaust sounds.

In a screenshot, Franklin can be seen wielding a Pistol .50 with one hand. But, in the final version of the game, he wields all pistols with two hands. It's likely this animation was only to appear in a cutscene of some-sort or it was just made for the image.

In another screenshot, Franklin can be seen walking away from Families members being arrested by the police. Although, no such event is seen in-game.

In Michael's trailer, he is seen using his elbow to hit Simeon, but this animation is never seen in game or in cutscenes.

In the beta, some police vehicles, particularly Sheriff's Cruisers had older coloured San Andreas license plates, as opposed to the SA Exempt plate found in game on all emergency vehicles.

In the second trailer, a silver 9F is seen parked in Michael's driveway, in the same spot where Tracy's Issi would spawn from time to time. Since Amanda's Sentinel was already seen in that trailer, it used to belong to either Tracey or Michael.

Although, it was most likely Tracey's since the Tailgater is seen twice in the same trailer - Jimmy and Michael talking in the car (Did Somebody Say Yoga?) and behind the Frogger before the end of the trailer (beta Three's Company).

Cheetah and Chastity has a phone number, which was somewhat removed from the final version of the game, they can still be called but they have no dialogue.

Hiking was going to be a feature for the gameplay but was removed for unknown reason.

References

↑Internal files refer to Salvatore's missions as "FRANK" (american.gxt > [FRANK] SALVATORE MISSIONS), the surname "Sorvino" is used for Joey's early game art, which means that Salvatore's surname originally was Sorvino.

↑american.gxt > ~g~Maria and Kemuri are all tied up at the moment -Drop by later!

↑american.gxt > [A_RANGE] ~g~The ambulance radio is out of range, get closer to a hospital!american.gxt > [C_RANGE] ~g~The police radio is out of range, get closer to a police station!american.gxt > [F_RANGE] ~g~The fire truck radio is out of range, get closer to a fire station!

↑american.gxt > [TONIGO] ~g~Toni's taken his Momma to the opera -Call in some other time!american.gxt > [KEMUGO] ~g~Maria and Kemuri are all tied up at the moment -Drop by later!american.gxt > [KENJGO] ~g~Kenji is attending a Yakuza meeting -Call by some other time!american.gxt > [KENSGO] ~g~Kenji is busy! -Call by later!american.gxt > [HOODGO] ~g~The Hoods are not available at this time!american.gxt > [JOEYGO] ~g~Joey's out on the town with Misty -Drop by later!american.gxt > [LOVEGO] ~g~Donald Love has other business to attend to -Make an appointment later!american.gxt > [LUIGGO] ~g~Luigi's interviewing some new girls -Come back later!american.gxt > [RAYGO] ~g~Ray has other toilets to hang around -Try again later!

↑american.gxt > [FRANGO] ~g~Salvatore wants you to help Toni deal with the Triads first!